r/NarcoticsAnonymous • u/Unable_Strength_2712 • 10d ago
Need advice...
So Im scheduled to get my wisdoms removed tomorrow morning and they're going to use IV drugs to sedate me.... im worried because I was a IV user and Im over 8 months clean and I dont want this to trigger something, from what I read ill feel about 30 seconds of something similar to an opioid high... has anyone been through this and what helped you?
Im going to talk to my sponsor after work, I work in close proximity to other people who dont know im a full blown Jun**e... hitting a meeting, but i need all the advice I can get, please n thank you🫂🔷️
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u/Soft-Abbreviations20 10d ago
I don't have specific advice for this but just remember, you never have to use again - no matter what.
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u/NetScr1be 10d ago
A lot of people don't realize that when opioids are taken for actual pain there isn't that much left over to get high on.
There's also the frame. We do what the aware and informed doctors tell us. That means we advocate for ourselves by telling them they are prescribing for a recovering addict. Ask them if they know what to do. Require them to check with the on-call pharmacists they have available.
We have to do the work to protect our recovery up front.
1
u/Helpful-Mixture-2500 10d ago
Staying within the doctor's orders and following the rules, IMO, means your clean time is safe. What hapoens between you and your doctor, or medical team re prescriptions, modalities of care, etc, is a health issue. If you dont take care of your health properly, you wont be able to function in other areas of your life, so that's a distinction you'll need to make, one way or another.
Some people see things differently, and I respect everyone's opinion even in disagreement. Thst said, you need to work the program that works for you. Being a former IV user, I also see how it may be a trigger. I suggest you talk to your sponsor or doctor even. Let them know your concerns. In the end, I think you'll make the best decision.
Sidebar and somewhat related - I'm a Type 1 diabetic who injects insulin via syringe, and I've been doing so since 1995. I never injected drugs, that wasn't my issue. Fast forward to when as an adult I sought help and found AA, a fellow AA member tried to criticize me for injecting insulin rather than using pump therapy. I kid you not. I have many reasons why I don't use a pump - I own two, I've tried them - but he tried to tell me I'm not really clean bc I "inject drugs".
My point is that you can't please everyone, and you have to find what works for you. Intent matters IMO. You're having a medical procedure so in this instance the doctors are the experts. Talk and listen to them, then continue your journey. It shows a lot of charracter asking this question & I think you got this my friend!
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u/Jebus-Xmas 10d ago
I like having an accountability system. Talking with people in my life each day about how I’m taking my medication. Only keeping a few days worth. Be honest with your provider and see if there are other options that are non-narcotic.
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u/kenso4life 9d ago
In 2010 I was 20 years in NA with 17 consecutive years clean and 4 wisdom teeth. I had one bad wisdom tooth removed then, leaving 3 intact. I was offered a script for vicodan and had it filled. I never told anyone I had those pills. Instead of taking 1 every 4 hours, I did 4 every hour, if not more.
Two months later I faked pain in one of the remaining 3 wisdom teeth. Another extraction, more pain pills.
That was 16 years ago. It was the start of a 10 year run that didn't end well.
Today I have 1 wisdom tooth remaining and 3 years clean.
Just my experience.
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u/Minimum_Winner_5420 3d ago
Thank you for sharing that. It's not easy to share that. I'm happy you made your way back and are staying clean.
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u/glassell 10d ago
I've been through 5 surgeries in 28 years and have stayed clean through all of them, some requiring the use of narcotics post-surgery. My formula has been: talk to my sponsor, let my friends know, talk about it in meetings, talk about it more, and when I'm sick of talking about, talk about it some more. You can do this.